Coming off the heels of the decade-long Hydaelyn and Zodiark saga, Remaining Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail takes you to utterly new territory, fairly actually. For as soon as, you–the Warrior of Gentle–are provided the possibility for some peace and quiet alongside your pals, with no calamitous menace looming over your shoulder. There aren’t any dragons to slay, gods to fell, or villains to conquer on the agenda. Hell, we traveled to the literal fringe of the universe, I believe it is honest to say we deserve this break.
This newest journey is the start of one thing new for the MMO and goals to strive one thing a little bit completely different with quite a lot of unpredictable outcomes. You would be setting your self up for disappointment when you’re anticipating this enlargement to supply the continuous pleasure and narrative revelations or Shadowbringers or Endwalker, however Dawntrail continues to be an excellent setup for a lower-stakes journey, and one which in the end makes Dawntrail’s twist that rather more compelling.
Main spoilers forward for Dawntrail’s story
On this journey, you set off throughout the ocean and sail west to the continent of Tural. Though you are technically on trip, you are additionally on a mission: to assist your new companion, Wuk Lamat, change into the following Dawnservant of Tural and, within the course of, discover the fabled metropolis of gold.
Whereas Endwalker hit the bottom operating and was uncommon with its respites, Dawntrail is leisurely paced as you compete within the ceremony of succession. It takes nice care in getting you conversant in your new environment first and, as Alisaie places it, „For as soon as, the destiny of the world would not relaxation on our shoulders.“ Consequently, you are in a position to absorb all of the attractive sights with no sense of strain to race towards the clock.
From the picturesque capital, Tuliyollal, to lush rainforests and dense jungles crammed with wildlife, to mountainous areas below starry skies, there isn’t any place in Dawntrail you will not wish to cease and admire. Tural is among the many most stunning locations the MMO has to supply, and its design is just enhanced due to the long-awaited graphics replace, making this enlargement’s vibrant coloration palette and smallest particulars pop.
As you journey these lands, it is clear a lot thought and a focus went into curating not simply its places, but additionally the various cultures of the individuals you meet alongside the way in which, like Hanuhanu, the Yok Huy, and the Xbr’aal. The lives of the Turali are as essential to your journey as the rest in Dawntrail, and as you spend an increasing number of time studying about their respective cultures and histories, you will witness firsthand the influence they depart on the overarching story, particularly the Yok Huy’s traditions of remembering their family members.
Remaining Fantasy XIV has usually struggled with its pacing, particularly in terms of discovering the time to deal with each single narrative thread. And whereas studying concerning the individuals of Tural is likely one of the most fascinating elements of Dawntrail’s story, in some locations it seems like there’s a lack of momentum in terms of development and the location of some quests, which might disrupt the momentum. This difficulty improves considerably in Dawntrail, which avoids overwhelming you with an excessive amount of directly, primarily as a result of the truth that the story is constant in its singular aim from the beginning. Within the preliminary half of your journey, you will not often choose up your weapon exterior of Duties, which makes a ton of room so that you can get actually absorbed within the characters and world round you.
Nonetheless, some questlines really feel outdated and meandering of their presentation and may make you are feeling such as you’re not making any headway. Too usually, you’re tasked with strolling from level A to level B to speak to an NPC, or ordered to gather an merchandise, and repeat this loop. Quests like these are to be anticipated in an MMO, besides, it is repetitive and unenjoyable. The stealth and companion comply with quests particularly, that are seemingly used as a method to make the shortage of motion extra partaking, are simply plain tedious. That being stated, the general journey is interesting and fascinating sufficient that these points do not derail the plot entirely–they merely sluggish you down.
One of the vital intriguing facets of this story is the choice to ascertain Wuk Lamat because the central protagonist. You’re taking a step again on this story to permit for the feminine Hrothgar to shine, and it is a choice that advantages the general narrative brilliantly.
Wuk Lamat is definitely the shining star of this enlargement. It is her compassion and extroverted playfulness that makes her such an endearing companion and making the journey by Dawntrail that rather more worthwhile. She is unapologetically herself, virtually comically so, whether or not it’s in her constructive outlook on life or her love for her nation; she’s merely a pleasure to journey with. She’s a fierce warrior, however is afraid of alpacas, will tackle any problem introduced to her, however will get seasick. It is these characterizations, together with the terrific work from her English voice actor Sena Bryer, that makes Wuk Lamat one of many extra memorable Remaining Fantasy XIV companions in latest reminiscence. With out her by your facet, Dawntrail simply would not be the identical.
She’s a personality you wish to root for as a result of, regardless of her constructive exterior, she additionally has her flaws, together with private challenges she should overcome in your journey collectively. As you journey from area to area, Wuk Lamat comes to grasp that she is not as conversant in her individuals as she initially thought, revealing her naivety within the course of, which makes her doubt her worthiness for the throne.
Step-by-step, with you by her facet as her buddy and information, Wuk Lamat goes by a pleasant journey of self-discovery, and it is rewarding to witness her character develop. Plus, the polarizing battle on the heart of her story makes for fairly the compelling narrative twist half means by the enlargement’s story–it’s an enormous a part of what makes the narrative extraordinarily highly effective, creating alternatives for unanticipated reveals and stunning penalties.
Remaining Fantasy XIV has all the time worn its coronary heart on its sleeve, and it is no completely different in Dawntrail. As you become familiar with new characters and cultures, the sport’s themes start to current themselves extra clearly. Dawntrail is about friendship, household, and belonging, that are concepts which can be deliberately tied to not solely Wuk Lamat’s journey to changing into the chief she’s all the time envisioned herself as, but additionally to returning characters like Krile and Erenville, who’re additionally pushed by familial connections of their seek for the town of gold.
Essentially the most compelling side of this narrative is the introduction of the mysterious Queen Sphene of Alexandria. Not launched till the late phases of the story, Sphene is introduced as a pacesetter who loves her individuals and even considers them household, very similar to Wuk Lamat does. There is a clear distinction between the 2, made much more apparent by their thematically opposing nations. Whereas Tural is teeming with life and holds traditions near their hearts, Alexandrian tradition is a dystopia and technologically superior.
The Yok Huy and their traditions of „remembering“ family members after they’ve handed and the Alexandrian means of forcibly eradicating the recollections of those that die to allow them to artificially stay on inside „the cloud“ as The Countless throws their variations into stark distinction and presents you with underlying questions concerning the which means of demise and what comes after, letting go and processing grief, in addition to what it means to really stay and die.
The duality of the 2 queens demonstrates an fascinating, extra battle altogether. They each love their houses, however whereas Wuk Lamat needs to protect peace for the nice of everybody concerned, Sphene will cease at nothing to place her individuals first. In true Remaining Fantasy XIV trend, this battle manages to discover a method to pull in your heartstrings in essentially the most sudden methods and forces you to confront troublesome choices that not solely have an effect on the Alexandrians, but additionally your shut companions. Some issues aren’t as they appear, and these choices additionally include penalties that might probably have a long-lasting impact on this period’s story going ahead.
If you find yourself deep within the motion, Dungeons and Trials each really feel tougher than ever, particularly when it comes to the boss mechanics. Although definitely manageable, you’ll have to be ultra-focused in order to not get hit by a very nasty AOE, or an advanced, steady chain assault. I do know I used to be. They really feel more durable this time round, however are extraordinarily enjoyable and satisfying when you determine the bosses‘ assault rotations alongside your occasion.
Responsibility designs are additionally tailor-made brilliantly with their respective narrative beats, one thing Remaining Fantasy XIV has all the time excelled at. They’re made much more thrilling due to the implausible, sweeping musical tracks courtesy of composer Masayoshi Soken, who has as soon as once more confirmed that his music significantly contributes to bringing a narrative to life.
With the newest enlargement additionally got here two brand-new Jobs, Viper and Pictomancer. Viper is a DPS class that engages enemies by the usage of three-step combos, with the third step granting an impact to strengthen a distinct combo-ending motion, and it is a thrill to play. At first, the Job can really feel fairly overwhelming merely as a result of abundance of abilities you are given right away at degree 80, so nailing these combos down appropriately does take time to grasp, making Viper one of many harder DPS Jobs. When you do get into the swing of issues, nonetheless, it is fairly thrilling to play. This class is slick and flashy because it depends on fast-paced assaults together with your twin blades that may also be linked right into a double-ended weapon for larger AOE assaults, making you are feeling such as you’re actually placing a dent within the enemy.
Then there’s Pictomancer, and the 2 Jobs could not be extra completely different. Whereas Viper is all about throwing out assault after assault and perfecting your combos for one of the best assault window, this ranged-magical DPS class is essentially the most refreshing caster Job the sport has seen shortly. The creative Job primarily relies on you portray three canvases, two with corresponding spells that deal a ton of injury to the enemy, in addition to a 3rd canvas that may supply your occasion a useful buff in battle on prime of your different very important utility. With its vibrant spells taking over your display screen to color fantastic photos, it is a actually enjoyable, whimsical class to play, with a rotation that’s fairly easy to get the cling of. It would not really feel like a chore leveling up, and I am longing for extra charming and laid again Jobs identical to it sooner or later.
I had some issues about how Dawntrail might introduce and wrap up a complete battle within the second half of its enlargement, however the story is ready to tie up each main thread alongside the way in which, whereas additionally delivering an emotionally impactful decision. Though the story does have a agency finish, it has additionally established some thrilling prospects for the sport going ahead, particularly in terms of the increasing lore of Remaining Fantasy XIV and what might come subsequent. It paves the way in which for brand spanking new locations to discover in future adventures and even does the mandatory setup work to contextualize how the participant might be concerned in what awaits on the horizon.
Remaining Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is a superb stepping stone in a brand-new saga for the MMO. Whereas the story might sound easy at first, it quickly takes an sudden, but compelling flip that presents new prospects for this new period. Although some questlines can really feel repetitive and outdated, they do not get in the way in which of an in any other case good enlargement, and the journey is made all of the extra satisfying due to a beautiful new forged of characters at your facet.